Micro-optical Module Research Articles

A micro-optical module for multi-wavelength addressing of trapped ions

The control of large-scale quantum information processors based on arrays of trapped ions requires a means to route and focus multiple laser beams to each of many trapping sites in parallel. Here, we combine arrays of fibres, 3D laser-written waveguides and diffractive microlenses to demonstrate the principle of a micro-optic interconnect suited to this task. The module is intended for use with an ion microtrap of 3D electrode geometry. It guides ten independent laser beams with unique trajectories to illuminate a pair of spatially separated target points. Three blue and two infrared beams converge to overlap precisely at each desired position. Typical relative crosstalk intensities in the blue are 3.6 × 10−3 and the average insertion loss across all channels is 8 dB. The module occupies ∼104 times less volume than a conventional bulk-optic equivalent and is suited to different ion species.

Efficient Planar-Integrated Free-Space Optical Interconnects Fabricated by a Combination of Binary and Analog Lithography

Design, fabrication, and experimental testing of an integrated microoptical module for interconnection are reported. The systems integration is based on the concept of planar-integrated free-space optics. The module combines diffractive-reflective and refractive microoptics. The diffractive elements were fabricated by binary lithography and reactive ion etching. The refractive elements were made by analog lithography using a high-energy beam sensitive mask and replication in Ormocer. The fabricated module implemented a simple one-dimensional optical interconnect. Two versions were implemented for which insertion losses of approximately 8 and 4.5 dB were measured, respectively.

Low-cost microoptical modules for mcm level optical interconnections

A multichannel free-space microoptical module for dense MCM-level optical interconnections has been designed and fabricated. Extensive modeling proves that the module is scalable with a potential for multi-Tb/s/spl middot/cm/sup 2/ aggregate bit rate capacity while alignment and fabrication tolerances are compatible with present-day mass replication techniques. The microoptical module is an assembly of refractive lenslet-arrays and a high-quality microprism. Both components are prototyped using deep lithography with protons and are monolithically integrated using a vacuum casting replication technique. The resulting 16-channel high optical-grade plastic module shows optical transfer efficiencies of 46% and inter-channel cross talks as low as -22 dB, sufficient to establish workable multichannel MCM-level interconnections. This microoptical module was used in a feasibility demonstrator to establish intra-chip optical interconnections on a 0.6 /spl mu/m CMOS optoelectronic field programmable gate array. This optoelectronic chip combines fully functional digital logic, driver and receiver circuitry and flip-chipped VCSEL and detector arrays. With this test-vehicle multichannel on-chip data-communication has been achieved for the first time to our knowledge. The bit rate per channel was limited to 10 Mb/s because of the limited speed of the chip tester.

GaAs/GaAlAs MULTIQUANTUM WELL ELECTROABSORPTION REFLECTION MODULATOR AND SELF ELECTRO-OPTIC EFFECT DEVICE (SEED)

GaAs/GaAlAs MQW reflection modulators and SEED have been investigated. The analysis is emphasized on the combined behaviors of quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE), distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), and different asymmetric Fabry–Perot cavities (ASFP). Experimental results include the fabrication and characterization of a modulator array with a contrast ratio of about 10 dB and S-SEED array with optical switch energy less than 10 fJ /(µ m )2. An application of a modulator array in microoptical interconnection module is also demonstrated.